A series of 19 aryldimethyltriazenes were synthesized as potential central nervous system (CNS) active analogues of
5-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)imidazole-4-carboxamide (
DTIC). The compounds were screened in mice against both intraperitoneally (ip) and intracerebrally (ic) implanted
L1210 leukemia. Select compounds were further screened against ic implanted
ependymoblastoma, and one compound was additionally screened against ic implanted
B16 melanoma. Although several compounds were as effective as
DTIC at prolonging the life span of mice bearing ip implanted
L1210 leukemia, only 4-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)benzamide (DTB) and 4-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)benzoic
acid (DTBA) were significantly active against the ic implanted
tumor. DTB, unlike
DTIC, was equally effective against both the ip and the ic implanted
tumor, clearly indicating that it penetrated into the CNS in therapeutic concentration. DTB was also active against ic implanted
ependymoblastoma and ic implanted
B16 melanoma. Aryldimethyltriazenes, particularly DTB, may have a role in the treatment of
tumors metastatic to the CNS. They may also be effective against
primary brain tumors.